With Explosion Or Breaking Container To Implode Patents (Class 166/299)
  • Patent number: 11891883
    Abstract: Methods for electrohydraulic fracture stimulation of formations may include producing an acoustic shock wave having a compressive wave character in a wellbore penetrating a formation and manipulating the acoustic shock wave. The acoustic shock wave may be manipulated in one or more of the following steps: channeling the acoustic shock wave down the wellbore to change a shape of the acoustic shock wave to less spherical; converting the compressive wave character to an expansion wave character; and changing an acoustic impedance of the acoustic shock wave. The acoustic shock wave having the changed shape, the expansion wave character, and the changed acoustic impedance is distributed into the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventor: Rainer N. Dahms
  • Patent number: 11859462
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a bottom hole assembly. The bottom hole assembly may include a by-pass valve assembly and a shifting tool assembly positioned downhole from the by-pass valve assembly. The bottom hole assembly may used to hydraulically fracture a wellbore and shift a well tool from a first position to a second position within the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: INTERRA ENERGY SERVICES LTD.
    Inventors: Serhiy Arabskyy, Andrew Barabash
  • Patent number: 11814919
    Abstract: A method of removing material from a target is described. The method comprises the steps of providing a tool, the tool having at least one propellant source; pressurising the tool to a pressure higher than the environmental pressure; igniting at least one of the propellant source(s) to form a combustion zone; and directing combustion products generated at the combustion zone along at least one tool flow path. The tool flow path(s) is selectively openable or closable, such that upon exiting the tool flow path(s) the combustion products interact with a target, the interaction causing material to be removed from the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: SPEX CORPORATE HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventor: Rae Younger
  • Patent number: 11773707
    Abstract: Methods and systems for creating fractures in rock are disclosed herein. In an exemplary method, reactive fluid is delivered into a wellbore. Formation fracture pressure is added to the reactive fluid in the wellbore sufficient to create a fracture network in a formation. The reaction pressure rubblizes the portion of a rock face of the fracture wall face to generate propping rubble that props the fracture open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventor: Steve Lonnes
  • Patent number: 11767745
    Abstract: A method includes placing a fluid in a treatment zone of a wellbore, the fluid in fluid communication with a near wellbore region of a subterranean formation. At least one energetic event generating material is placed in the wellbore, and positioned adjacent and up hole from the fluid. An energetic event is generated from the at least one energetic event generating material, and at least one fracture is formed in the near wellbore region from the at least one energetic event applying a pressure pulse onto the fluid. In some aspects, the fluid is a viscous pill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dean Willberg, Jeffrey Burghardt, Maxim Chertov
  • Patent number: 11767739
    Abstract: A perforating gun, system and method is provided. The perforating gun includes a body, a plurality of shaped charges, at least one initial propellant and may include an actuating mechanism. The plurality of shaped charges are mounted within the body, and each shaped charge has an amount of an explosive material. The actuating mechanism is in communication with each shaped charge and the at least one initial propellant. The actuating mechanism is configured to fire the at least one initial propellant before firing any of the plurality of shaped charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Expro Americas, LLC
    Inventor: Kerry Daly
  • Patent number: 11713637
    Abstract: A method of selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes assembling an expansion tool comprising a plurality of bi-directional boosters, arranging a predetermined number of explosive pellets a serially-arranged column between the bi-directional boosters, positioning a duel end firing explosive column tool within the tubular, and detonating the bi-directional boosters to simultaneously ignite opposing ends of the serially-arranged column to form two shock waves. The shock waves collide to create an amplified shock wave that travels radially outward to impact the tubular and expand a portion of the tubular wall radially outward, without perforating or cutting through the portion of the wall, to form a protrusion of the tubular at the portion of the wall. The protrusion extends into an annulus adjacent an outer surface of the wall of the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Patent number: 11686176
    Abstract: A circulation sleeve including a housing, a mandrel disposed at least partially within the housing, the mandrel and the housing together configured to respond to pressure applied to the sleeve from radially outward of the housing by moving the housing to a position relative to the mandrel where a treatment port through a radial wall of the mandrel is exposed outside of the housing and to respond to fluid flow rate within the mandrel to move the housing to a position relative to the mandrel where the treatment port is disposed within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Wilfred Provost
  • Patent number: 11542777
    Abstract: A downhole tool for cleaning and sealing a wellbore includes a wash tool configured at a downhole end of the downhole tool to generate pulses of a first fluid at a first frequency and a first pressure for washing a target interval of a wellbore. The downhole tool further includes a plugging tool configured uphole or downhole from the wash tool to generate pulses of a second fluid at a second frequency and a second pressure for depositing a sealing plug at the target interval of the wellbore. The second fluid has a higher viscosity than the first fluid, the second frequency is lower than the first frequency, and the second pressure is higher than the first pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe Quero, Harley Jones
  • Patent number: 11536104
    Abstract: A method involves determining an expansion charge able to selectively expand, without perforating or cutting through, a wall of a tubular in a wellbore. The method includes determining conditions in the wellbore, including hydrostatic pressure bearing on the tubular in the wellbore, and a physical characteristic of the tubular. At a second location other than the wellbore, at least one of the conditions determined in the wellbore is reproduced, and a test tubular is provided at the second location. A test expansion charge able to expand, without perforating or cutting through, the wall of the test tubular, is determined based on the determined conditions. The determined test expansion charge is positioned within the test tubular, and is then actuated to expand the wall of the test tubular radially outward, without perforating or cutting through the wall, to form a test protrusion in the wall of the test tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Patent number: 11473383
    Abstract: A method of selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes assembling an expansion tool comprising a plurality of bi-directional boosters, arranging a predetermined number of explosive pellets a serially-arranged column between the bi-directional boosters, positioning a duel end firing explosive column tool within the tubular, and detonating the bi-directional boosters to simultaneously ignite opposing ends of the serially-arranged column to form two shock waves. The shock waves collide to create an amplified shock wave that travels radially outward to impact the tubular and expand a portion of the tubular wall radially outward, without perforating or cutting through the portion of the wall, to form a protrusion of the tubular at the portion of the wall. The protrusion extends into an annulus adjacent an outer surface of the wall of the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Patent number: 11441407
    Abstract: A well tool includes a perforating gun including multiple shaped charges, a sheath encapsulating the perforating gun and powdered acid in an internal chamber defined by the sheath. The perforating gun is lowered to a depth into a wellbore formed in a subterranean zone. The multiple shaped charges are fired to form multiple perforations in the wellbore at the depth. The multiple perforations provide access to the subterranean zone at the depth. The sheath, which covers at least some of the multiple shaped charges, breaks responsive to at least some of the multiple shaped charges being fired. The powdered acid in the internal chamber is applied to the subterranean zone responsive to the multiple shaped charges being fired. The powdered acid reacts with and weakens the subterranean zone at the depth to ease flow of hydraulic fracturing fluid into the subterranean zone at the depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Gregory Louis Rowland, Abdulaziz M. Sagr
  • Patent number: 11421491
    Abstract: An anchor for securing a well tool can include a longitudinally extending central axis, an outwardly extendable grip member, and a mechanical linkage including multiple pivotably connected links. The links pivot relative to each other in a plane laterally offset from the central axis. A method of anchoring a well tool can include flowing a fluid through an anchor connected to the well tool, thereby outwardly extending a grip member into contact with a well surface, and applying a tensile force to the anchor, thereby increasingly biasing the grip member against the well surface and securing the well tool relative to the well surface. A method of anchoring a tubing cutter in a tubular string can include applying a tensile force from an anchor to the tubular string, and cutting the tubular string while the tensile force is applied from the anchor to the tubular string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Justin R. Scruggs
  • Patent number: 11352859
    Abstract: Well production enhancement systems and methods to enhance well production are disclosed. The method includes deploying an outer conveyance into a wellbore, where a plurality of propellants are deployed along a section of the outer conveyance. The method also includes deploying one or more isolation devices to form one or more isolation zones along the outer conveyance. The method further includes deploying an inner conveyance within the outer conveyance, where the inner conveyance is initially deployed along the section of the outer conveyance. The method further includes detonating the plurality of propellants to generate one or more fractures in a formation proximate to the section of the outer conveyance. The method further includes injecting fracture enhancement fluids into the one or more fractures to enhance well production through the one or more fractures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Michael W. Sanders, Stanley V. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 11340047
    Abstract: A shaped charge liner having a plurality of metal powders including at least one high purity level metal having a purity level of at least about 99.5%. The metal powders and high purity level metal are compressed to form the shaped charge liner, and the shaped charge liner is for installation in a shaped charge. Once installed in the shaped charge, the shaped charge liner is for being thermally softened so that it has a porosity level of less than about 20 volume % and is able to maintain its mechanical integrity when thermally softened. A shaped charge including such liners is disclosed, as well as a method of perforating a wellbore using such shaped charge having such liners positioned therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Joern Olaf Loehken, Liam McNelis
  • Patent number: 11293258
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for forming a casing liner in a wellbore of a hydrocarbon well. The forming including disposing a casing liner print head in an annular region located between a casing pipe disposed in a wellbore of a hydrocarbon well and a wall of the wellbore, conducting a downhole lining operation including operating the casing liner print head to eject casing liner integrated structure material into the annular region to form, in the annular region, a casing liner integrated structure including contiguous voids formed in the casing liner integrated structure material, and depositing a cementitious material into the contiguous voids formed in the casing liner material to form, in the annular region, a casing liner including the casing liner integrated structure material and the cementitious material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Boul, Carl J. Thaemlitz
  • Patent number: 11293257
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for forming a casing liner in a wellbore of a hydrocarbon well. The forming including disposing a casing liner print head in an annular region located between a casing pipe disposed in a wellbore of a hydrocarbon well and a wall of the wellbore, and conducting a downhole lining operation including operating the casing liner print head to eject casing liner material into the annular region to form, in the annular region, a casing liner including elongated voids formed in the casing liner material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Boul, Carl J. Thaemlitz
  • Patent number: 11268367
    Abstract: Energy created by a propellant can form a fracture in a subterranean formation. For example, a treatment fluid can be introduced into a subterranean formation. A propellant can be positioned in the subterranean formation. The propellant can be detonated to generate a fracture in the subterranean formation for receiving at least part of the treatment fluid. The treatment fluid may include an acid, a hydrolysable in-situ acid generator, a chelating agent, a hydrolysable in-situ chelating agent generator, or mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Ronald Glen Dusterhoft, Antonio Recio, III, Golchehreh Salamat
  • Patent number: 11203908
    Abstract: An anchor device having a tubular body with a longitudinal axis, the tubular body being divided into a first body portion and a second body portion which are interconnected by means of a rigid connection so that movement between the first body portion and second body portion is substantially prevented, the anchor device further comprising an actuator having an actuation part which, by operation of the actuator, moves relative to the body, wherein the anchor device further comprises a first linkage set and second linkage set each of which includes at least one linkage, each linkage comprising a first, second and third link, the second link lying between the first and third links, and being pivotally connected to both, each linkage further comprising means to releasably pivotally connect the first link to the first body portion, and means to releasably pivotally connect the third link to the actuation part, the first and third links of each linkage in the first set being shorter than the first and third links o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: C6 Technologies AS
    Inventor: Husam Al Hussin
  • Patent number: 11156067
    Abstract: A gun to gun transfer delay fuse that includes a delay housing, a first cylindrical cavity housing a firing pin and igniter, and a second cylindrical cavity housing a delay fuse with a centralizer feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Hunting Titan, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Albert Henke, Johnny Covalt
  • Patent number: 11073005
    Abstract: A propellant container for a perforating gun includes a lower cap, one or more pieces of propellant positioned within the lower cap, wherein at least one of the one or more pieces of propellant defines one or more through-holes, and an upper cap matable with the lower cap to secure the one or more pieces of propellant within the lower cap. A filler material is present within interstitial spaces between the one or more pieces of propellant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: The GasGun, LLC
    Inventors: Adam C. Schmidt, Jaia D. Schmidt, Richard A. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11066908
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for restraining a firing pin using a bushing for use in a downhole switch that is armed using the explosive energy of a previously detonated shaped charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Hunting Titan, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Sansing
  • Patent number: 11066900
    Abstract: Provided are wiper plugs with removable cores and methods of using the wiper plugs with removable cores. An example wiper plug with a removable core comprises a molded body, a wiper, a cavity through the interior of the molded body, a support disposed in the cavity, and the removable core disposed in the cavity. An example method of use comprises removing the core of the wiper plug without drilling through the wiper plug, and leaving the remainder of the wiper plug in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Gunnar Lende, Tor Saetre
  • Patent number: 11053786
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating subterranean formations for treating subterranean formations using propellant fracturing and hydraulic fracturing to detonate and inject in sequential stages. A method comprises disposing a propellant fracturing tool downhole into a well bore; introducing a fracturing fluid into a work string coupled to the fluid conduit to pressurize and set an upper packer and a lower packer against the well bore; detonating sequentially a plurality of propellant band stages to produce one or more fractures; introducing sequentially a series of treatment fluids into a well bore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation, wherein the sequential introduction of the series of treatment fluids occurs between the sequential detonation of the plurality of propellant band stages; and depositing at least a portion of the treatment fluids in at least a portion of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Ronald Glen Dusterhoft, Paul M. Ashcraft
  • Patent number: 10914156
    Abstract: Provided is a downhole fracturing tool assembly, and a method for fracturing an oil/gas formation. The downhole fracturing tool assembly, in one aspect, includes a tool body, and a localized fracking system located within the tool body. In accordance with this aspect, the localized fracking system is designed to create a localized initial pulse of pressure sufficient to initiate a fracture of a subterranean zone of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Coats, Stanley V. Stephenson, Tim H. Hunter, Jim Basuki Surjaatmadja
  • Patent number: 10907460
    Abstract: An energetic charge for propellant fracturing may include a propellant material or a shape of the energetic charge being selected such that a rise time of a deflagration of the energetic charge is determined to be in the propellant fracturing regime. The propellant fracturing regime may be defined by a set of linear equations associated with the rise time for pressure from the deflagration of the energetic charge. The rise time may be calculated based on an equation {dot over (?)}=(dP/dt)/E, where {dot over (?)} represents a strain rate, dP/dt represents a change in pressure with respect to time, and E is Young's modulus, and where the set of linear equations relate the rise time to a borehole diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventor: Bruce D. Marsh
  • Patent number: 10844681
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a cutter tool for cutting tubulars from the inside thereof. The tubulars can be an oil well or a gas well, pipeline or other type of tubular. The cutter tool can include a housing that is insertable within the tubular and a cutting member that is receivable within the housing. The cutting member has a first end and a second end with the first end for cutting the tubular. The tool also includes a first shaft with a first shaft-end and a second shaft-end. The first shaft-end is releasably connectable to the housing. The tool also includes a second shaft that is connectable with the second end of the cutting member. The cutting member is moveable within the housing between a retracted position and an extended-and-cutting position by movement of the second shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: 2072677 ALBERTA LTD.
    Inventors: Travis Nester, Shawn Lelek
  • Patent number: 10844697
    Abstract: Components for a perforation gun system are provided including combinations of components including a self-centralizing charge holder system and a bottom connector that can double as a spacer. Any number of spacers can be used with any number of holders for any desired specific metric or imperial shot density, phase and length gun system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Haron Preiss, Liam McNelis, Eric Mulhern, Thilo Scharf, David C. Parks
  • Patent number: 10837271
    Abstract: A downhole sub for injecting and detonating liquid explosive into a subterranean formation has a first fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber, a piston slidably disposed between and separates the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber, and a detonation unit affixed to the piston. It also has a third fluid chamber, a coupling disposed between the second fluid chamber and the third fluid chamber, and an annular sealing device disposed about the downhole sub. During operation, the downhole sub is filled with a liquid explosive and lowered into a well. A hydraulic fluid is injected into the downhole sub to initiate a process in which a portion of the well casing having a plurality of perforations in its wall is isolated from the rest of the well first, the liquid explosive is then injected into the isolated portion, and from there into the surrounding subterranean formation, and finally ignited to create fractures in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Inventor: Bo Qu
  • Patent number: 10760384
    Abstract: A method of creating and finishing perforations in a hydrocarbon well having a well wall that includes causing a high velocity jet of a material to shoot into the well wall, thereby creating a perforation in the well wall. The method further includes introducing a gas blast into the perforation, for a blast time duration, the gas blast creating an increasing pressure at the perforation until a maximum pressure is reached; and allowing the pressure of the gas blast to undergo a period of rapid decline to a level of less than 50% of the maximum pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: The Gasgun, LLC
    Inventors: Adam C. Schmidt, Jaia D. Schmidt, Richard A. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10711553
    Abstract: A casing segmentation device and system, and a method for selectively providing a fluid flow passage through a casing segmentation device disposed within a well casing segment is provided. The casing segmentation device includes a body and a fracture mechanism. The body has a forward end, an aft end, a plug seat, and an internal passage. The plug seat is configured to receive a mating plug. The internal passage extends between the forward end and the aft end and through the plug seat. The fracture mechanism includes an amount of energetic material and a trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism is configured to selectively cause a detonation of the amount of energetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company
    Inventors: Andrew M. Kochanek, Kurt Nelson, Jared Holtman, Scott Gammons, James Danyluk, Alan Garvey, Marc Morris, Joseph Smith
  • Patent number: 10677008
    Abstract: A method of controllably disintegrating a downhole article comprises disposing a first article in a downhole environment, the first article being the downhole article to be disintegrated; disposing a second article in the downhole environment after the first article is disposed, the second article carrying a device, a chemical, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; and disintegrating the first article with the device, chemical, or the combination comprising at least one of the foregoing from the second article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: YingQing Xu, Zhihui Zhang, Rajani Satti, Levi Oberg, Derek Shelby Bale, Kim Ann Noren, Dawne Doxey
  • Patent number: 10494886
    Abstract: A valve device selectively communicates annulus pressure or pressure from a hydraulic circuit to an actuation piston of a borehole tool to directly or indirectly set the borehole tool. A valve member is held against spring bias by a retainer whose physical properties can be remotely changed to release the force of the bias to move the valve member which in turn moves an actuating piston to set the borehole tool. The compressive strength of the material can be impacted by electric current that directly or indirectly such as with the generation of heat results in weakening the retainer. The retainer material may be surrounded with a sleeve to enhance compressive strength until the remote signal is applied such as with wireline or electric line. Other property changes to the retainer are contemplated such as volume change, shape change, change in state or change in tensile or compressive strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: YingQing Xu, Kent S. Meyer
  • Patent number: 10288391
    Abstract: A shaped charge comprising a containment shell, an explosive charge placed in the containment shell and having a V-shaped surface, a fuse placed behind the explosive charge, and a layer of projection material placed in front of the V-shaped surface of the explosive charge. A layer of pyrogenic material is used for heating the projection coating. This pyrogenic material can also be mixed with the explosive charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: ARIANEGROUP SAS
    Inventors: Felipe Medina, Luc Preaud
  • Patent number: 10041334
    Abstract: An acid block is for local acid treatment of a subsea connecting element, which is in need of cleaning by acid treatment. A block element, which is formed from an acid or an acid residue in solid form, is formed for positioning on or at a portion of the connecting element, for example a connecting interface formed according to an API standard. A method is for acid treatment of a subsea connecting element, which is in need of cleaning by acid treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Jupa AS
    Inventors: John Harald Schjelderup, Endre Birkeland, Hallvar Møller
  • Patent number: 9945214
    Abstract: A firing assembly for a wellbore perforating gun or other downhole tool includes: one or more casings connected together to form a firing head containment body, the firing head containment body is in fluid communication with a firing assembly that includes a click pressure firing module that allows the wellbore to be pressurized to high pressures required for pressure testing the well casing one or more times without firing the gun or actuating a certain downhole tool, and after a predetermined number of pressure increase events, allows the subsequent high pressure activation to reach the firing pin or actuation device and fire the gun or activate the tool without further activity from the surface other than applying the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Nine Energy Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Brian Coffey, Terry Lee Mytopher
  • Patent number: 9777562
    Abstract: A concentrated solar power (CSP) deliquification system for discouraging the accumulation of liquids in a wellbore includes a CSP heating subsystem, and an injection and recirculation subsystem. A working fluid is heated by the CSP heating subsystem and conveyed down-hole into the wellbore by the injection and recirculation subsystem. Heat is transferred from the working fluid to a production fluid within the wellbore, which facilitates maintenance of the production fluid in a gaseous or phase while in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Rafael Adolfo Lastra, Abubaker Saeed
  • Patent number: 9752421
    Abstract: A switch includes a casing having a bore, a piston assembly having a first end and an exposed end, a plurality of flanges formed at the first end; an insulating sleeve enclosing the first end, a contact assembly disposed in the casing bore; a pin disposed in the bore; a predetermined quantity of lubricant deposited in the bore; and a spring urging the pin into engagement with the piston assembly. The insulating sleeve and the plurality of flanges are at least partially disposed in the casing bore. The pin has: (i) a first position wherein the pin electrically contacts the piston assembly and is electrically isolated from the contact assembly; and (ii) a second position wherein the pin is electrically isolated from the piston assembly and electrically engages the contact assembly. The predetermined quantity of lubricant may be approximately 0.3 grams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: OWEN OIL TOOLS LP
    Inventors: Timothy E. LaGrange, Cory D. Day, George Patton, Dan W. Pratt, Bradley Vass
  • Patent number: 9689246
    Abstract: Downhole stimulation devices include an energetic material disposed within a housing and an initiator for igniting the energetic material. The initiator may comprise a shaped charge configured to produce a projectile to penetrate the energetic material to ignite the energetic material. The housing of the device may comprise a continuous outer surface. Methods of operating a downhole stimulation device include initiating an energetic material disposed within a housing of the stimulation device in order to burn the energetic material in a laterally extending direction transverse to a depth of a borehole in which the stimulation device is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Orbital ATK, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul C. Braithwaite, Michael E. Adams
  • Patent number: 9617829
    Abstract: A tool assembly is provided that includes an actuatable tool such as a valve or a setting tool. And includes a location device that senses the location of the tool assembly within a tubular body based on a physical signature. The tool assembly also includes an on-board controller configured to send an activation signal to the actuatable tool when the location device has recognized a selected location of the tool based on the physical signature. The actuatable tool, the location device, and the on-board controller are together dimensioned and arranged to be deployed in the wellbore as an autonomous unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Dale, Randy C. Tolman, Pavlin B. Entchev, Renzo Moises Angeles Boza, Chris E. Shuchart, Eric R. Grueschow, Charles S. Yeh
  • Patent number: 9605514
    Abstract: An underbalance pressure generator includes a housing having a first end and a second end and defines a piston chamber that extends between the first and second ends. A piston is movably arranged within the piston chamber, and one or more influx ports are defined in the housing at or near the second to enable fluid communication between the piston chamber and an exterior of the housing. A locking mechanism is arranged at or near the second end and capable of securing the piston at or near the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Holly, Wei Zhang
  • Patent number: 9528338
    Abstract: An apparatus for releasing chemical agents in a well bore, comprising: a packaging material; a chemical agent, wherein the chemical agent is contained within the packaging material; and an adhesive, wherein the adhesive is attached to the packaging material and associated methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee J. Hall
  • Patent number: 9494021
    Abstract: A perforation gun system is provided including combinations of components including a top connector, a self-centralizing charge holder system and a bottom connector that can double as a spacer. Any number of spacers can be used with any number of holders for any desired specific metric or imperial shot density, phase and length gun system. A perforation gun system kit and a method of assembling a perforation gun system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignees: DYNAENERGETICS GMBH & CO. KG, JDP ENGINEERING & MACHINE INC.
    Inventors: David C. Parks, Frank Haron Preiss, Liam McNelis, Eric Mulhern, Thilo Scharf
  • Patent number: 9394767
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for modifying downhole wellbore pressure at the instant that an explosive event occurs. By a significant temporary reduction in wellbore pressure, for example, an explosive cutter will be able to cut through thicker pipe in a deep well with high hydrostatic pressure. A favorable transient wellbore pressure is achieved by the selective timing of implosion and explosion devices, to improve the performance of certain explosive tools when subsequently initiated, such as shaped charge explosive cutters, severing tools, setting tools and perforating guns. As part of the system, each implosion or explosion device is initiated by a detonator having a preprogrammed control unit with a preselected timing delay to take advantage of the temporarily lowered wellbore pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Hunting Titan, Inc.
    Inventors: James E Brooks, Nolan C Lerche
  • Patent number: 9383094
    Abstract: A fracturing apparatus in a wellbore, having a housing with at least one injection port; an injection fluid supply interface to provide injection fluid for the fracturing apparatus; and at least one high pressure combustor received within the housing. The housing further includes a combustible medium interface that is in fluid communication with the at least one high pressure combustor, which is configured and arranged to provide repeated ignition cycles that include a combustion cycle that ignites the combustible medium and a fuel delivery cycle that delivers the combustible medium to the combustor, wherein pressure resulting from the combustion cycle forces the injection fluid out an injection port to cause fracturing in a portion of the earth around the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Orbital ATK, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Alifano, Daniel Tilmont
  • Patent number: 9175553
    Abstract: A perforating system having annular connectors for attachment between adjacent perforating guns and connectors. The connectors include male and female connectors with respective outer and inner contact surfaces. The connectors also include attachment for electrical detonators and/or booster charges for transferring ballistic detonations between the perforating gun and connector sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jason McCann, Mark Sloan, James A. Weekley
  • Patent number: 9091163
    Abstract: Insensitive explosive compositions were prepared by reacting di-isocyanate and/or poly-isocyanate monomers with an explosive diamine monomer. Prior to a final cure, the compositions are extrudable. The di-isocyanate monomers tend to produce tough, rubbery materials while polyfunctional monomers (i.e. having more than two isocyanate groups) tend to form rigid products. The extrudable form of the composition may be used in a variety of applications including rock fracturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Lloyd L. Davis
  • Patent number: 9074464
    Abstract: A method of verifying swelling of a swellable material in a well can include connecting a transmitter to a sensor which senses a parameter indicative of degree of swelling of the swellable material, and conveying a receiver into an interior of a tubular string. The transmitter transmits to the receiver an indication of the degree of swelling of the swellable material. A packer swelling verification system can include a swellable material which swells in a well, and a well tool which is conveyed to the packer in the well. The well tool receives an indication of a degree of swelling of the swellable material. A method of verifying whether a swellable material has swollen in a well can include positioning a conductor proximate the swellable material, whereby the conductor parts in response to swelling of the swellable material, and detecting whether the conductor has parted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Hinkie, Kurtis W. Price, Alf K. Sevre
  • Patent number: 9057232
    Abstract: Several methods and devices are provided herein to generate shock waves that are used in the oil industry for well drilling, hydrocarbon or gas exploitation, fracking process or improved oil recovery (IOR), enhanced oil recovery (EOR), cleaning of process waters, oil spills byproducts and oil pipes, which can be used as independent systems or as auxiliary systems concomitantly with other existing technologies. The different devices consist of generating shock waves utilizing either one or more laser sources, or a self-generated combustible gas supply, or a micro-explosive pellet, or piezocrystals, or a piezofiber composite structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Sanuwave, Inc.
    Inventors: Iulian Cioanta, Cary McGhin
  • Patent number: 9057261
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for fracturing rock in a formation to enhance the production of fluids from the formation. In one exemplary method, one or more wells are drilled into a reservoir, wherein each well comprises a main wellbore with two or more lateral wellbores drilled out from the main wellbore. One or more explosive charges are placed within each of the two or more lateral wellbores, and the explosive charges are detonated to generate pressure pulses which at least partially fracture a rock between the two or more lateral wellbores. The detonations are timed such that one or more pressure pulses emanating from different lateral wellbores interact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Clifford Walters, Nancy Hyangsil Choi, Michael Edward McCracken, Jeff H. Moss